CARTA bus routes are changing, and some residents say these changes cut them off from vital services.
Effective May 8, route changes will redirect certain buses in the areas of North Chattanooga, East Ridge, Eastgate, Hamilton Place and more, and hours of service will be cut midday and on weekends in St. Elmo.
CARTA Director Lisa Maragnano said these changes are not all desirable, but barring an increase in funding they are all necessary under a budget that hasn’t received a raise in government tax-based funding in five years.
In particular, St. Elmo residents gathered during a monthly neighborhood meeting to voice their concerns to Maragnano, who attended the evening meeting to discuss reasons for the change.
The #15 St. Elmo bus schedule changes will cut out midday trips, with the last morning trip moving to 9:40 a.m. and the first afternoon trip to 2:40 p.m. Saturday service will be eliminated completely when changes take place in May.